Flu season already rivals last winter's harsh epidemic
PBS••health
Key Points:
- U.S. flu infections surged over the holiday season, with 45 states reporting high or very high flu activity by Christmas, surpassing last winter's severe flu epidemic in some measures.
- The predominant flu strain is A H3N2, particularly a new variant (subclade K) not well matched by this season’s vaccine, raising concerns about increased hospitalizations and deaths, especially among older adults.
- Despite rising flu cases and hospital visits, the Trump administration announced it will no longer universally recommend flu vaccinations for all children, leaving the decision to parents and doctors, although vaccines remain covered by insurance and federal programs.
- Flu hospitalizations and deaths have not yet reached last year's levels, but indicators suggest the flu season may
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